8th Grade

Eighth grade is the final year at ACS, a great year that serves as an incredible capstone to an outstanding educational experience. 8th grade students spend time looking inward during this year, reflecting on who they are, how God has been present in their lives, and how God is calling them going forward. As the oldest students in the school, 8th graders are given many opportunities to be servant-leaders in our school and in the community. Finally, students continue to enjoy the great community of ACS by celebrating and enjoying the many different gifts and talents of their classmates through a variety of activities and events both in and out of the classroom.

Curriculum Highlights

In the fall in 8th grade science students investigate the solar system and celestial objects outside of our solar system. The winter months are spent investigating kinetic energy, Newton’s Laws, and how energy transfers through waves. In the spring students will spend time investigating human systems and how the body functions.

In eighth grade we offer three levels of math: 8th Grade Algebra, Algebra Enhanced and Geometry. We offer these different math courses to meet the specific needs or our learners.

We spend special time helping students grow in their ability to solve multi-step problems by encouraging the process of problem solving and mathematical thinking. These skills are foundational for them as they continue to progress in their math abilities.

Band, Orchestra and Choir are all offered during 7th grade. The study of music further enhances the development of the brain. Learning an instrument uses unique parts of the brain that have been shown to enhance learning skills in other areas. During band and orchestra we work through method books and additional music resources. During choir we sing a huge variety of songs, study different types of music, watch and learn the music from at least one musical, continue to build theory skills and also do at least two performances during the year.

Exploring American History and how it impacts us today is the focus of 8th grade history. Over the course of the year, students focus on several key events like the American Revolutionary War, writing the Constitution, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Physical Education is offered two times a week for 45 minutes each. In 8th grade our focus is on reviewing the rules and learning the strategies of the different sports and activities that we play throughout the year. We teach these sports and activities to show the students different ways that help us to keep active and healthy for life. An exciting experience in 8th grade is a frisbee unit which includes honing our frisbee throwing skills, playing ultimate frisbee games, and playing our disc golf course.